Terra Firma, the Staircase Dream

This is a recurring dream I have, and it haunts me. Finally decided to write about it.


In headlights,
A Deer's eyes before he dies, grow wide
And stay, like he's staring off in the sky
Like he's dreaming of being anywhere but where he is.
I stand, wishing I were anywhere but here.

My shadow rises to its feet and pulls at me
To scavenge my soul while leaving my body to the birds
Like heights, climbing out of your body is something best done without looking down
Will I fall or be pulled up?

A staircase, infinite, and shining like my teeth when I'm lying
For a moment I feel like I am walking home again
But home is where the heart lies and mine is miles below, on the side of the road

A face in the crowd is the maker, a stranger.
Who's he to take my life when my living for him is a favor
He says:
Bet your life on those steps
Free to leave but don't expect to live forever

An old man on his last flight, watched his loved ones pass him by
Smiling and holding a frame of his youth, but he falls unrecognized
Now dying, alone with his living
Begging for the same hand from his dream
"In headlight heaven, I might as well stare,
Just take me home, to the base of the stairs."